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17 Sept 2003 : Column 825W—continued
Police HQ, Armagh
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how extensive the asbestos contamination was at the regional police headquarters in Armagh; when the contamination occurred; and what the cause was of the contamination; [120307]
- (2) what documents and how many case files were contaminated by asbestos at the regional police headquarters in Armagh; what percentage of these papers were destroyed; at what rank this decision was taken; what options were available for copying files; and from what bodies professional advice was sought; [120308]
(3) how many criminal prosecutions were dropped as a result of asbestos contamination at the regional police headquarters in Armagh; how many civil actions were affected; and what cost was incurred in meeting claims for damages as a result of failing to produce evidence. [120309]
Jane Kennedy: I have written to my hon. Friend, a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Police Property (Meetings)
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the policy is on the RUC GC Association and Welfare Associations meeting in police property across Northern Ireland; and if he will ensure that these facilities remain open to them as long as they are required. [123465]
Jane Kennedy: This is a matter for the Chief Constable. I understand that he has provided assurances that organisations such as the RUC GC Associations and Welfare Associations will continue to be granted the use of police premises. Any person or persons wishing to gain admission to any police establishment would be required to comply with any policies established by the organisation.
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether there is a right of appeal for serving or former members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland when a request to use convalescent facilities on the mainland is refused by the Benevolent Fund Committee; and if he will make a statement; [130055]
- (2) whether there is a ceiling on the number of times a serving or former member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland can use convalescent homes for respite purposes on the mainland. [130056]
Jane Kennedy: Each case made to the Benevolent Fund Committee is considered on its own merits. There is no ceiling on the number of times an officer or retired officer can use the benevolent fund facilities. However, all instances where a request is made for a third visit are referred to the Management Committee for approval. An applicant who has had their request refused can ask to have their case reviewed and may submit additional information or material to be considered as part of that review.
17 Sept 2003 : Column 826W
Radiographers
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many radiographers are employed in full-time posts in the NHS in Northern Ireland; how many vacancies exist; and what estimate he has made of how many will be required in total in 2006. [124673]
Angela Smith: The information is as follows:
(a) A breakdown of radiographers as at 31 March 2003 by employment status is shown in the following table:
| Employment status | Headcount | WTE(16) |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 399 | 399.0 |
| Part-time | 159 | 89.50 |
| Total | 558 | 488.5 |
(15) Bank staff who cover for staffing shortfalls and fluctuating workloads in order to maintain service delivery have been removed from these figures.
(16) Whole-time equivalent.
(b) As at 30 September 2002 there were Radiography vacancies amounting to a whole-time equivalent of 26.5. Radiography vacancies detailed by trust are given in the following table:
| Health and Social Services (HSS) Trust | WTE(17) |
|---|---|
| Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| United Hospitals Group HSS Trust | 4.0 |
| Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust | 6.5 |
| Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust | 4.0 |
| Down and Lisburn HSS Trust | 6.0 |
| Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust | 2.0 |
| Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Total | 26.5 |
(17) Whole-time equivalent
(c) The total required number of Radiographers in 2006 equates to 738 headcount when supply is profiled against the Demand Levels 1 and 2, as identified within the Comprehensive Review of the Radiography Workforce, April 2002.
Radiology
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vacancies there are in Northern Ireland for (a) radiologists and (b) radiographers. [130001]
Angela Smith: The information is as follows:
(a) As at 30 September there were Consultant Radiologists' vacancies amounting to a whole-time equivalent of 8.0. Consultant Radiologists' vacancies detailed by Trust are given in the following table. The number of staff in post at this same date was 73 (68.25 WTE).
17 Sept 2003 : Column 827W
| Health and Social Services (HSS) Trust | WTE(18) |
|---|---|
| Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust | 2.0 |
| United Hospitals Group HSS Trust | 3.0 |
| Belfast City Hospitals HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust | 1.0 |
(18) Whole-time equivalent
As at 30 September 2002 there were Radiography vacancies amounting to a whole-time equivalent of 26.5. Radiography vacancies detailed by trust are given in the following table. The number of staff in post at this same date was 566 (496.3 WTE).
| Health and Social Services (HSS) Trust | WTE(19) |
|---|---|
| Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| United Hospitals Group HSS Trust | 4.0 |
| Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust | 6.5 |
| Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust | 4.0 |
| Down and Lisburn HSS Trust | 6.0 |
| Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust | 2.0 |
| Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust | 1.0 |
| Total | 26.5 |
(19) Whole-time equivalent
Regional Cancer Centre
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recruitment of staff for Northern Ireland's new regional Cancer Centre. [124686]
Angela Smith: The Belfast City Hospital Trust developed a workforce plan for the new Cancer Centre as part of the submission of the Outline Business Case. The Trust is keeping the plan under review. The Regional Medical Services Consortium is currently considering a substantial additional revenue investment of approx £1.6 million per annum to enable a phased build-up in staff numbers towards the opening of the new Centre.
Respite Care
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many respite care beds there are in each health board area in the Province for (a) young adults older than 18 and (b) those aged 18 and younger. [130266]
Angela Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.
Road Tax
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action has been taken to reduce the number of vehicles being driven on Northern Ireland's roads without road tax; and how many prosecutions have resulted in the past 12 months as a result of enforcement action. [124186]
17 Sept 2003 : Column 828W
Angela Smith: A range of measures is in place to tackle Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) evasion in Northern Ireland, including ongoing detection by the police and traffic wardens, wheel clamping; Automated Number Plate Reading cameras; Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN); and special joint exercises by DVLNI, PSNI and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.
The most recent period for which enforcement information is available is the year from 1 June 2002 to 31 May 2003. In that year enforcement action was taken against 15,171 offenders. 13,281 settled out of court and 1,890 were prosecuted in court.
Roadworks
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which contractors working for the Roads Service had their contracts terminated in each year since 1999; and what the reasons were in each case. [119468]
Angela Smith: I have asked the Chief Executive of Roads Service to write to you in response to your question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total length broken down by classification of road is in each council area in Northern Ireland. [123925]
Mr. Spellar: I have asked the Chief Executive of Roads Service to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of repairing public (a) roads and (b) footpaths in Northern Ireland following work carried out by (i) electricity and (ii) gas companies in each year since 1997. [119462]
Angela Smith: I have asked the Chief Executive of Roads Service to write to you in response to your question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
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